Doctors in Vizag ask people to be wary of the third wave threat

As the Covid-19 second wave has eased up during the month of July, citizens have stopped being alert and have started taking things easy. Many are ignoring the need to wear masks and to maintain social distance in public places. Doctors, and medical experts, in Vizag, have expressed concern over the situation and have advised citizens to be aware of the third wave threat. Currently, Kerala, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka are some of the states in the country which are reporting a high number of Covid-19 cases everyday. Experts have highlighted that the rise in cases in those states is a sign that the other states need to be alert. 

Since the last two months, Vizag has seen the rate of positive cases come down to 2.5 percent. From 2,000 daily cases in May, the number has now dropped down to below 200. On a daily basis, about 150-170 cases are being reported. There have been days when the number of cases has even gone below 100. But the Covid-19 curve is yet to flatten in the city. Reporting a consistent number of cases everyday, doctors say that even before the second wave comes to an end altogether, there might be chances for the third wave to enter. According to the doctors in the city, the major reasons for the threat of the third wave in Vizag are the slow pace in the vaccination process, new variants coming up and citizens moving out in groups after the day curfew got lifted and flouting Covid-19 norms. 

Speaking to Yo! Vizag, the Andhra Medical College (AMC) Principal, Dr. PV Sudhakar, shared, “In other states, even before the number of cases reaches the baseline, a peak is being witnessed. When the graph is not reaching the baseline, it is the sign of an oncoming third wave. Unlike the first wave, cases are not dropping down completely in Vizag.” From reporting single-digit cases in the last few weeks, the number of cases is again slowly rising. Before the situation becomes worse and the third wave arrives, doctors have asked the citizens to take necessary precautions and follow Covid-19 norms. 

On Tuesday, a total of 77 cases were reported, taking the total to 1,53,325. Currently, around 1,595 patients are being treated at hospitals in the district and in-home isolation.